The neural generation of a unified illusion in human vision.
The neural mechanisms of visual binding in humans were investigated by measuring the brain's high-frequency electric responses (36-44 Hz) to the subjective visual perception of a unified three-dimensional illusion. 40 Hz synchronization was found over occipital and right parieto-temporal areas 500-300 ms before visual awareness of the three-dimensional Gestalt was reported, but not during the viewing of the illusion. At lower frequency bands (8-13 Hz and 13-20 Hz) no corresponding synchronization was found. 40 Hz synchronization thus directly correlates with the construction and emergence of a unified visual percept and may reflect the rapid formation of transient functional connections between spatially separated cortical areas.
Revonsuo
A
A
Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Turku, Finland.
Wilenius-Emet
M
M
Kuusela
J
J
Lehto
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004585:Electrooculography; D005260:Female; D005863:Gestalt Theory; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009434:Neural Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D009903:Optical Illusions; D011897:Random Allocation; D014785:Vision, Ocular / Q000502:physiology*; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology*